On July 17 the prime and backup crewmembers of transport manned vehicle (TMV) Soyuz MS-05 proceeded with their final training at Baikonur Cosmodrome.

This very day, a Technical Management meeting was held, where a decision was taken to fuel Soyuz MS-05 with propellant components and compressed gases.

ROSKOSMOS cosmonaut Sergei RYAZANSKY, NASA astronaut Randolf BRESNIK and ESA astronaut Paolo NESPOLI being members of the ISS-52/53 Expedition crew tried on spacesuits Sokol-KV, and following spacesuit leak test took their places in the vehicle. The crew tested the radio communication system, laser ranging system, got familiar with the onboard data files, studied the flight program and a list of cargo to be delivered to the ISS.

The backup crewmembers are ROSCOSMOS cosmonaut Alexander MISURKIN, NASA astronaut Mark VANDE HEI and JAXA astronaut Norishige KANAI.

During the final training sessions at the launch site training of the vehicle manual proximity operations to the ISS, audit of scientific hardware kits, testing of upcoming ballistic operations and other preparatory procedures are also planned.

The Soyuz MS-05 prime and backup crewmembers arrived to Baikonur cosmodrome on Sunday on July 16. The backup crew consists of ROSCOSMOS cosmonaut Alexander MISURKIN, NASA astronaut Mark VANDE HEI and JAXA astronaut Norishige KANAI.

The launch of Soyuz MS-05 carrying the crew of the next long-duration tour to the International Space Station (ISS) is scheduled on July 28, 2017 from Baikonur cosmodrome.